Bonobo Winery

What is Bonobo Winery?

Bonobo Winery is a family-owned winery located in Traverse City, Northern Michigan. The winery takes pride in producing world-class artisan wines using carefully selected grape varieties from their estate vineyard. Bonobo Winery offers a unique experience to wine enthusiasts as they indulge in delicious wine paired with a light snack while enjoying panoramic views from the winery's tasting room. Visitors can also attend special events hosted by the winery to have a bonobo experience and tour the estate vineyard and winemaking facilities. With the guidance of accomplished wine experts, customers can taste different wines to find their ideal wine.

Why Visit Bonobo Winery?

Are you a wine lover looking for a unique tasting experience in Northern Michigan? Look no further than Bonobo Winery, where you can enjoy a glass of world-class wine in an idyllic setting.

Bonobo Winery sources the grapes for its delicious wines from the 21-acre vineyard on its estate. The locally grown grapes contribute to producing elegant wine made on-site by a talented team.

The vineyard features seven grape varieties, each carefully selected to produce a range of artisan wines. These grape varieties include Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and among others. With such a diverse selection of grapes, there's sure to be a wine that appeals to every palate.

At Bonobo Winery, you can enjoy a light snack or a full meal while enjoying the vineyard's fantastic views. The winery caters to special events, including weddings, and offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the "Bonobo experience."

Todd and Carter Oosterhouse, the founders of Bonobo Winery and Traverse City natives, take pride in providing visitors with world-class wines. Their passion for winemaking is evident in every bottle of wine they produce.

Don't miss your chance to visit Bonobo Winery and experience the delicious wines and stunning vineyard. Whether you are a seasoned wine taster or a casual drinker, Bonobo Winery is sure to have an ideal wine you'll love.

Wine Varieties at Bonobo Winery

Bonobo Winery is home to a diverse selection of grape varieties, each chosen for its unique characteristics and contributions to the winemaking process. These grapes are carefully cultivated on the estate's 21-acre vineyard, ensuring that only the highest quality fruit makes it into every bottle. With so many grape varieties, Bonobo Winery offers an impressive range of artisan wines sure to satisfy any palate. Read on to learn more about the wine varieties available at this exceptional winery.

Pinot Blanc

Bonobo Winery's Pinot Blanc is an award-winning wine that has received recognition in various wine competitions. This variety is grown in the vineyard, located in the cool and breezy climate of Traverse City.

The wine boasts a light, delicate flavor profile with notes of baked pear and mission fig and a clean finish. Its unique flavor makes it an ideal wine for pairing with light snacks or seafood dishes.

Pinot Blanc is produced and fermented in stainless steel tanks at Bonobo Winery, which allows the grape's natural character to shine through. This wine is not aged in oak barrels, allowing it to retain its crisp, fresh taste without being overpowered by additional flavors.

In conclusion, Bonobo Winery's Pinot Blanc is a top-rated wine recognized for its quality and taste profile in several competitions. Its light and refreshing flavor makes it an excellent choice for wine tasters looking for a unique and delicious wine experience.

Sauvignon Blanc

Bonobo Winery offers an award-winning Sauvignon Blanc variety of wine to please even the most discerning wine connoisseur. This wine has a crisp, refreshing taste with notes of savory herbs and a hint of prickly pear. It pairs well with various dishes and is an excellent complement to seafood and light snacks.

The Sauvignon Blanc from Bonobo Winery has been recognized for its exceptional taste and characteristics, winning awards at several prestigious competitions such as the San Diego International Wine Competition, the International Wine and Spirit Competition UK, the Critics Wine Challenge, and Tasters Guild International Wine Judging.

The Bonobo Winery Sauvignon Blanc was the only Sauvignon Blanc to medal from the USA in the International Wine and Spirit Competition UK, a testament to its superior quality and taste.

Aside from its success in international competitions, this wine has also won various Bronze medals in other international wine competitions, further cementing its status as an award-winning wine.

If you're a wine enthusiast looking for a delicious and balanced wine, be sure to try the Sauvignon Blanc from Bonobo Winery – you won't be disappointed.

Other Varieties of Wine

Apart from its signature Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc wines, Bonobo Winery produces a wide variety of artisan wines that are just as delicious and world-class. Each wine variety is carefully crafted using a unique blend of grape varieties, fermentation processes, and aging techniques, resulting in a range of distinct wines in taste, aroma, and character.

One of the other popular white wine varieties produced by Bonobo Winery is the Pinot Gris. This wine is crisp and refreshing, with a delicate aroma of citrus and tropical fruits. It is made using locally sourced grapes from Michigan, fermented in a stainless-steel tank to preserve its bright acidity and mineral notes.

Another white wine variety produced by Bonobo Winery is the Chardonnay, which is full-bodied and rich in flavor. The wine has a distinct aroma of baked pear and is aged in oak barrels, lending it a buttery, vanilla flavor with a hint of savory herbs and spices.

For those who prefer sweeter white wines, Bonobo Winery offers a Riesling that perfectly balances sweetness and acidity. The wine has a bright, floral aroma with peach, apricot, and honey notes. It is made using grapes from the Leelanau Peninsula and undergoes a cold fermentation process to enhance its fruity flavors.

Moving on to the red wine varieties, Bonobo Winery produces a complex and elegant Pinot Noir characterized by its dark cherry and mission fig flavors. The wine has a delicate aroma of savory herbs and is aged in oak barrels to develop its smooth, velvety finish.

Finally, Bonobo Winery boasts a Cabernet Franc that is bold and full-bodied. This red wine variety has a rich dark chocolate purveyor and a hint of spice and black pepper. It is made from grapes sourced from the Old Mission Peninsula and is aged in oak barrels to develop its complex flavors and aromas.
In conclusion, Bonobo Winery offers a range of small-batch wines uniquely crafted to cater to the diverse taste preferences of wine lovers.
The winery offers a wine-tasting experience with high-quality wines, beautiful scenery, and a unique Bonobo experience.

The Tasting Experience at Bonobo Winery

Located in Traverse City, Michigan, Bonobo Winery offers an exceptional wine-tasting experience to visitors. With a stunning view of the surrounding cherry orchards and vineyards, guests can enjoy world-class wines made with traditional and modern techniques. Bonobo Winery is known for its small-batch artisan wines that emphasize the unique qualities of its grape varieties. The winery also hosts special events and offers a variety of delicious snack options to pair with its wines.

A Glass of Wine and Light Snack Offerings

Bonobo Winery offers a lovely selection of artisan wines that will satisfy any palate. In addition to its world-class wines, the winery serves light snacks that complement its wine offerings perfectly. The light snack menu at Bonobo Winery includes savory herbs, baked pear, pork belly, dark chocolate, mission fig, prickly pear, and more.

Pairing a glass of wine with a light snack can elevate the wine-tasting experience. The wine pairings are carefully selected to enhance the flavors and aromas of the wine and the snack. By enjoying a light snack while sipping on a glass of wine, the palate is refreshed and better able to appreciate the nuanced flavors of the wine.

Having a light snack with wine helps to cleanse the palate and also provides a contrast to the wine being tasted. A light snack can help neutralize the taste buds after a sip of wine, making it easier to detect the more delicate flavors. Furthermore, a light snack can help intensify the flavors of the wine and bring out subtle notes that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

At Bonobo Winery, the glass of wine and light snack offerings are carefully curated to ensure each guest has a fantastic wine-tasting experience. With their delicious wine offerings and perfectly paired light snacks, visitors can relish every moment of the Bonobo experience.

Touring the Facility for an Up-Close Experience

At Bonobo Winery, visitors can tour and experience the winemaking process up close. The tour takes guests through the winery, showing them the facilities for making delicious wine.

Visitors can see the stainless steel tank where the wine is aged before it is bottled. During the tour, guests will learn about the grape varieties used to make Bonobo's fantastic wine. These grape varieties include Mission fig and dark cherry, among others.

The knowledgeable staff will explain the winemaking process, and visitors can even try a few sips of Bonobo's delicious wine along the way. It's an excellent opportunity to see firsthand how artisan wines are made while also enjoying the stunning views of Northern Michigan.

The tour experience at Bonobo Winery is perfect for those who want to learn more about wine and the winemaking process. Visitors will leave with an increased appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into making world-class wines.

Artisan Wines Available at Bonobo Winery

Bonobo Winery is a world-class destination located in Traverse City, Northern Michigan. Bonobo Winery offers a unique experience for wine tasters and enthusiasts alike, where they can indulge in small-batch artisan wines. Their excellent wines have received international recognition from various wine competitions, such as San Diego International Wine Competition, Gold-Indy International Wine Competition, and Bronze-Indy International Wine Competition. The winery's grape varieties range from Mission fig to dark cherry, and their elegant and balanced wines make them an ideal spot for wine lovers.

World-Class Wines to Enjoy At Bonobo Winery

Bonobo Winery is renowned for its world-class wines that delight the palate. The winery prides itself on producing elegant wines carefully crafted on-site with grapes grown on its 21-acre vineyard. Bonobo Winery combines traditional and modern winemaking techniques to create artisan wines that showcase the unique flavors and aromas of Northern Michigan.

The winery utilizes several grape varieties to produce its world-class wines, including Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. Each grape variety is carefully selected to ensure that only the highest quality ingredients are used in the winemaking process. The result is a range of wines that are balanced, elegant, and bursting with flavor.

The aroma profile of Bonobo wines is one of the many reasons wine tasters rave about them. The Pinot Blanc, for example, has a subtle floral aroma with notes of baked pear and prickly pear. The Pinot Noir, on the other hand, has a rich and complex bouquet of dark cherry and savory herbs. And the Chardonnay is known for its notes of mission fig and light vanilla.

Bonobo wines are not only delicious when consumed young, but they also have excellent aging potential. Some of the wines produced by Bonobo Winery have already won numerous awards and recognition in international competitions, such as the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, the San Diego International Wine Competition, and the London Wine Challenge International Competition. For example, Bonobo Winery's Pinot Gris won the Bronze at the Indy International Wine Competition, while Cabernet Franc won the Double Gold.

Bonobo Winery is the perfect choice if you're looking for an ideal wine to enjoy any time of the day or night. The delicious and balanced wines produced by this rich purveyor of Northern Michigan wines will surely delight your senses and leave you wanting more.

Baked Pear and Prickly Pear Flavors

Bonobo Winery's Baked Pear and Prickly Pear varieties of wine are characterized by their unique and distinct flavors. The Baked Pear wine has a rich and decadent taste with a hint of sweetness, while the Prickly Pear wine offers a refreshing and tangy flavor. These wines are produced using a careful winemaking process that ensures the flavors are preserved.

Bonobo Winery's Baked Pear Wine has already won several awards, including Gold, at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. The wine boasts an aroma of baked pear and notes of spice, vanilla, and dark chocolate. The taste is rich and smooth with a long, satisfying finish. The Prickly Pear wine has also won recognition for its unique flavor profile, winning a Bronze award at the Indy International Wine Competition. The wine has a distinctive aroma of prickly pear and citrus, a crisp and refreshing taste, and a hint of sweetness.

The winemaking process at Bonobo Winery involves carefully selecting and blending grapes to ensure the best flavors are brought out in each wine. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in French oak barrels to impart unique flavors and complexities. The winery's focus on balancing traditional and modern winemaking techniques results in well-structured and character wines.

In conclusion, Bonobo Winery's Baked Pear and Prickly Pear wines are distinct and flavorful options for wine lovers. These award-winning wines boast rich and refreshing tastes that will leave a lasting impression. The winemaking process employed by the winery contributes to the unique flavors of these wines and makes them standout options for any occasion.

Rich Purveyor with Savory Herbs

Bonobo Winery is known for its exceptional wines that incorporate unique flavor profiles. One such profile is the "Rich Purveyor with Savory Herbs," which adds depth and complexity to the wine. This flavor profile can be found in Bonobo's wines, including the double gold-winning 2017 Pinot Gris.

The Rich Purveyor with Savory Herbs profile is achieved by blending specific herbs during winemaking. Thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves are key herbs that contribute to this savory note. These herbs are carefully chosen and added at specific stages of the winemaking process to bring out the best flavors.

The 2017 Pinot Gris perfectly exemplifies how this flavor profile can elevate a wine. This wine has a delicate, floral aroma with notes of citrus and pear. The Rich Purveyor with Savory Herbs profile adds a layer of complexity to the wine, with hints of thyme and rosemary that complement the fruit flavors. The result is a beautifully balanced wine that is both elegant and satisfying.

This flavor profile pairs well with hearty dishes like pork belly or grilled steak, bringing out the savory notes in the food and wine. It is also a great complement to lighter dishes like salads or seafood.

In conclusion, Bonobo Winery's Rich Purveyor with Savory Herbs profile is a unique and delicious addition to their impressive line of wines. With specific herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves, Bonobo Winery has created wines with depth, complexity, and a truly distinct taste. And with the double gold-winning 2017 Pinot Gris, it's clear that this flavor profile is a winning combination.